Yet another proof is that traditions have talked about the Salat of Iblis...

Yet another proof is that traditions have talked about the Salat of Iblis, Hazrat Adam (‘a), Hazrat Nuh (‘a), Hazrat Sulaiman (‘a), Hazrat Musa (‘a) and Hazrat Isa (‘a). Therefore, it is evident that the literal aspect, root and reality of Salat, was present in all the Prophets (‘a). Moreover, there were many Arabs who practiced Christianity and Judaism yet used this term for their form of worship.

And if the word Salat bore any other meaning than attention in their vocabulary, it would have been used in that very sense. In that case, the unanimity of the litterateurs on the meaning of this word would not hold water. This itself is a proof for the fact that the word Salat has been used in Islamic ideology in its literal sense and nobody used it in its new sense in the initial era of Islam.

And only after applying the requisite definitions and conditions to it, they have excepted and limited its literal meaning and concept. More important than all these is the basic and fundamental difference in the types of Salat - obligatory (wajib), recommended ( mustahab) , types of obligatory and types of recommended. Also, the differences in Salat prescribed for different individuals - traveler, sick, drowning and dumb.

Obviously, no other meaning can take in its fold all the above applications, except the literal meaning on which everybody agrees - the only difference being in the definitions and conditions attached to them. E.g. the daily prayers are the same as the Friday prayers but each of them possesses certain conditions peculiar only to itself.

In the tradition of ascension (mi’raj) it has been narrated from the Holy Prophet (‘s): “Hazrat Musa (‘a), in one of his munajat (whispering supplications) to Allah prayed, ‘O Allah! Grant me Your recognition.’ Allah retorted, ‘Testify that there is no god but Allah.’ Hazrat Musa (‘a) asked, ‘O Allah!

How is Salat?’ Allah the Almighty replied, ‘Say, ‘There is no god but Allah’ and till the day of judgement, My servants will utter this statement.”[^1] A little attention on this tradition reveals the fact that the literal aspect of the word Salat covers all types of remembrance and attention towards the Almighty. The only difference being among them is that while one is perfect, the other is more perfect, one is obligatory and the other, recommended.

To imply that the application of the word Salat is true only for the obligatory while for others it is just metaphorical, is definitely wrong and incorrect.